Recall: Vornado Air Circulation Systems Recall of Portable Electric Heaters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 3, 2004 Release # 04-191

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 221-5431 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772 CPSC Media Contacts: Eric Criss or Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7908 or (301) 504-7051

Note: The Vornado Trust has agreed to pay a civil penalty relating to this recall.

CPSC, Vornado Air Circulation Systems Announce Recall of Portable Electric Heaters

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces the following recall in voluntary cooperation with the firm below. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: Portable electric whole room heaters

Units: 1 million

Manufacturer: Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., of Andover, Kan.

Problem: A faulty electrical connection can cause the heater to overheat and stop working, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Vornado has received 24 reports of heater fires, though no injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled portable electric whole room heaters are designed for indoor use and have model numbers 180VH®, VH®, Intellitemp®, EVH®, and DVH®. The model numbers are located on the bottom of each unit. Each heater is about 11 ¾ inches long, 9 ½ inches wide, and about 12 inches tall; weighs about 6 lbs.; and has the "Vornado" name and symbol on the front.

Sold at: Retailers and distributors nationwide, as well as Vornado's Web site, sold the heaters from July 1991 through January 2004 for between $50 and $120.

Assembled in: United States.

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled heaters immediately and contact Vornado to arrange for shipping and a repair, free of charge.

Consumer Contact: Contact Vornado at (888) 221-5431 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or log on to the company's website at www.vornado.com